Page 9 of Sexting the Silverfoxes

Because someone tried to hurt you and every protective instinct I have is screaming that you’re mine to keep safe.

I couldn’t say any of that.

“Because you’re good at your job,” I said instead. “And because what happened tonight wasn’t your fault.”

She studied my face like she was looking for the lie. I let her look.

“Okay,” she said finally, so quietly I almost missed it. “Okay.”

“Get some rest,” I told her. “We’ll figure everything else out tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to stay,” she said, but her hand reached for mine again.

I took it. “I know.”

“Mr. Kolykos.” A nurse entered the room abruptly, wrecking that moment of intimacy. “We need to clean Ms. George. Please step out.”

“I’ll be right outside.”

“You should get a cup of coffee. She’ll be here a few more hours.”

“Fine. Where can I get one?”

“The café is down the hall. Take the first corridor on the right, then the next left.”

I followed the directions and found myself in a dour little room with vending machines and a cooler with sandwiches and salads.

“Café. Right,” I muttered. I poured a cup of coffee, black, and nearly gagged at the first sip. Not Vegas standards. I trashed the nearly filled cup.

My phone rang. Leo’s picture popped onto the screen.

“Conference call,” he said without preamble. “Ares is losing his shit. Hold on.”

A click, then Ares’s voice came through, tight with controlled fury. “Tell me she’s okay.”

“She’s stable,” I said. “Smoke inhalation, some burns on her hands from trying to put out the fire. They’re keeping her overnight for observation.”

“And you’re still there.” Not a question.

“Yes.”

“Orion—” Ares started.

“Don’t.” I cut him off. “We’re not having this conversation.”

A pause. Then Leo, diplomatically: “Security footage?”

“Nothing yet,” Ares said.

Damn.

“But why?” Leo said slowly. “She just arrived. Nobody even knows she exists yet.”

I shook my head because I had no answers.

“For what?” Leo’s frustration bled through. “Sabotage? Blackmail? This doesn’t make sense.”

“It will,” Ares said grimly. “Once we find the perp and make him talk.”